Automotive

Apex unveils its quick and quirky AP-0 electric supercar

Apex unveils its quick and quirky AP-0 electric supercar
The dramatic rear end of the Apex AP-0, a futuristic, fast and long-range electric sports car from the UK
The dramatic rear end of the Apex AP-0, a futuristic, fast and long-range electric sports car from the UK
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Apex's AP-0 concept EV is an attractive electric sports car design
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Apex's AP-0 concept EV is an attractive electric sports car design
A totally smooth underbody helps suck the AP-0 to the ground for better high-speed corner grip
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A totally smooth underbody helps suck the AP-0 to the ground for better high-speed corner grip
The fin makes the AP-0 look a bit wagonny from the side
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The fin makes the AP-0 look a bit wagonny from the side
The Apex AP-0 is capable of a 2.3-second 0-62-mph sprint
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The Apex AP-0 is capable of a 2.3-second 0-62-mph sprint
The AP-0 boasts 320 miles of all-electric WLTP range
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The AP-0 boasts 320 miles of all-electric WLTP range
The rear light is such a feature that it became the logo
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The rear light is such a feature that it became the logo
The dramatic rear end of the Apex AP-0, a futuristic, fast and long-range electric sports car from the UK
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The dramatic rear end of the Apex AP-0, a futuristic, fast and long-range electric sports car from the UK
The brake lights turn themselves on rather theatrically
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The brake lights turn themselves on rather theatrically
An augmented reality HUD and adaptive cruise system keep the AP-0 current
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An augmented reality HUD and adaptive cruise system keep the AP-0 current
The AP-0 was designed with the key word "cyberdragon" in mind
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The AP-0 was designed with the key word "cyberdragon" in mind
View gallery - 10 images

British sportscar manufacturer Apex Motors has unfortunately timed the launch of its AP-0 concept electric sports car to coincide with the collapse of Western society and a global descent into savagery and hoarding. That doesn't mean it's a bad car, though. Indeed, it looks like quite a good one.

A carbon tub and spaceframe chassis, wrapped in carbon bodywork gives the new Apex AP-0 a head start on the power-to-weight side of things, giving it a feather-light 1,200 kg (2,645-lb) rolling weight despite the fact that it carries quite a lot of heavy lithium battery.

That battery pack sits below the floor, helping keep the weight low and flat for superior handling. It holds a pretty impressive 90 kWh, which is enough to get you a range up to 320 miles (515 km ) on the WLTP cycle if you drive like Captain Sensible.

If you choose not to drive it like Captain Sensible, you have the full might of a 650-horsepower (485-kW) drivetrain at your disposal, which means that if you get word of an unattended packet of toilet paper a few towns over, you can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 2.3 seconds, hit a top speed of 306 km/h (190 mph) and beat the local pensioners to the bog roll in style.

The AP-0 boasts 320 miles of all-electric WLTP range
The AP-0 boasts 320 miles of all-electric WLTP range

Speaking of style, Apex says the car has been designed with the word "cyberdragon" in mind, so it seems China will be a key market. The AP-0 is a broadly attractive car, although the rear three quarter aspect suffers a tad from the addition of a giant carbon fin, whose alleged aerodynamic contributions we suspect will be minimal. It's partially there to make the roof-mounted LiDAR unit not stand out, and we suspect the designers wish it wasn't there either.

From certain angles it makes this thing look a bit like a shooting brake half-wagon effort, which is unfortunate, but from other angles it's saved by a colossal and very fancy LED brake light arrangement that makes the back of this car look like a flat-out spaceship.

Brakes and suspension have been specified with the racetrack in mind, notably in the use of ride-height-adjustable F1-style pushrod suspension, with fully adjustable coil over shock springs and dampers. Low-profile tires won't do much for the ride on a bumpy road, but you can expect them to grip and steer great when the hammer's down.

The Apex AP-0 is capable of a 2.3-second 0-62-mph sprint
The Apex AP-0 is capable of a 2.3-second 0-62-mph sprint

In terms of cabin tech, the AP-0 will debut with an augmented reality heads-up display, a LiDAR and camera-assisted adaptive cruise system with lane keeping assist, a very futuristic dash layout, automatic emergency braking, and enough cameras and sensors to enable level 4 autonomy if that becomes "safely achievable," presumably through third-party systems. The seating position is super-racy with your feet way forward, keeping driver and passenger low to the ground for a super-sporty feel.

As to the most important issue for the average sports car buyer, you'll be reassured to know the doors open upwards, so you can expect this car to go 20 percent faster and allow 35 percent less merging in traffic. Apex plans to begin manufacturing in the UK from Q4 2022 if the thin veneer of society hasn't crumbled away entirely and left us hunting the infirm and opinionated for food. Pricing starts at £150,000 (approx. US$185,000).

Enjoy a video below; it's worth it just to watch how the lights come on.

APEX AP-0 Super Sports EV Concept World Premiere

Source: Apex Motors

View gallery - 10 images
7 comments
7 comments
PhilippeHolthuizen
'British sportscar manufacturer Apex Motors has unfortunately timed the launch of its AP-0 electric sports car to coincide with the collapse of Western society and a global descent into savagery and hoarding. That doesn't mean it's a bad car, though.'

Hahahahaaaa, love it!
Ianspeed
Wow, hope they left enough room in the boot so I can hoard loads of toilet rolls and make a quick exit from Tesco, nobody will be able to catch me then and loot my super fluffy loo paper. Oh, hang on, I need to be able to buy some and there is nothing left on the shelf again, damn them...the pathetic panic buying bog hoggers!! Just saying!
Riaanh
Thanks Loz for yet again a great tongue in the cheek......I just hope our new Dystopian society does away with speed humps, otherwise you wont get far in this beauty!
Nobody
Looks a lot like the car from "Automan" and I bet it was also designed by Cursor.
guzmanchinky
The people who can easily afford this car aren't panicking, they are on their yacht. With plenty of toilet paper.
RangerJones
An affordable Super car. Can't see that going over well.
f8lee
Best article on here in years!

ANd now I'm saving my toilet paper for use in barter in the post-apocalypse...